A joyous trail running trip in the Swiss Alps, organized by Run the Alps and led by Mirna Valerio, which was inclusive of slower-paced runners. The stunning scenery, camaraderie, and supportive guides made the adventure unforgettable. Key highlights included picturesque landscapes, flexible itineraries, and savoring alpine treats.
It’s important to lean into experiencing those things that simultaneously scare the crap out of you…and ignite your curiosity. My recent experience in the Azores was just that!
Moving through the world in a fat body can be filled with trials and tribulations…but it can also be filled with tremendous joy and adventure. I recently needed to remind myself of that fact.
I’ve never gone in for the whole peace, love and understanding scene. I’ve attempted yoga a few times in my life. No offense to my yogi friends out there, but it’s just not for me. In particular, I can’t handle the whole breathing, humming and chanting stuff – it makes me want to giggle uncontrollably. […]
“You should join a marathon training running club” was the epitome of the worst weight loss advice I’ve ever gotten from a doctor.
Traveling is hard work, it turns out. I’ve had several well-travelled friends warn me of this, “be sure to plan plenty of down time” they all said. One friend recently reminded me that there is a big difference between traveling and vacation. The trick to enjoying the long-haul is to sprinkle just the right amount […]
Glenn spent our first night on Easter Island writhing in pain on the bed in our hotel room. We had come to the island, whose true name is Rapa Nui, to visit the stone figures called moai. (sounds like “mow-eye”) Unfortunately, Glenn decided to bring some stones of his own in the form of kidney […]
I had to give myself a little tough love earlier this week. It turns out I’ve been nurturing some pretty negative body image thoughts without really realizing it. Let me start at the beginning. I will only be taking a carry-on sized bag (plus a backpack) on our six-month around the world trip. Since space […]
* GUEST POST by Glenn, Michele’s husband A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams – John Barrymore None of us are ageless. Eventually we will all be limited in one-way or another by age or circumstance. Not an especially cheery thought but something that I’m sure has crossed all of our […]
Croatia is the land of waterfalls, whiffs, warblers, weed-whackers and war. Glenn and I recently found ourselves in Croatia to run the first ever Dubrovnik International Half-Marathon and we spent some time after that event to explore this beautiful country. We decided to join an REI Adventures tour that included biking, hiking and kayaking across […]
Glenn and I recently found ourselves in Croatia. “I got us all signed up” Glenn said when I got home from work one day. “For what?” I asked. “For that half-marathon in Dubrovnik! You said you wanted to do it. Right?” Ahh, yet another miscommunication that results in an adventure! Last October we ran in the […]
“Running has taught me that I am capable of more than I ever imagined.” That was written on the back of a woman’s shirt at the Vortex Half-Marathon this past week. She had full knee braces on each leg, a big sweatband around her head and a slow jog with just a bit of a […]
Guest post by Glenn, Michele’s husband. If you have a personal goal heed my advice and keep it to yourself – otherwise you may just have to follow through with it. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against personal goals. I think finding something to challenge yourself with, especially something you aren’t quite sure is […]
“You two look to be in great shape” is what our tour guide said upon meeting us on a very cold, windy and slightly rainy Sunday morning in Copenhagen. Certainly not a sentiment I’ve heard very much (ever) in my life. It made me blush. I still can’t get over it when that happens – […]
It turns out that sometimes…running sucks. I learned this important life lesson this past weekend when I participated in the Happy Girls Half-Marathon in Sisters, Oregon. Running 13 miles on forested trails in the high dessert of the Cascade Mountains with 500 other amazing women. What could be better than that? What could go wrong? […]
